Simple Machines
Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"Simple Machines are an Austin band that trade in a sort of downbeat, New Wave-cribbing dance rock that gains interest from the juxtaposition of its frothy, electronic beats and the muted emotions of the human performers inside them. The four songs chart the range of the group’s sound. I don’t think you can really experience them as they were meant to be heard unless you see Simple Machines live." - Austinme2000's blog: Austin Music and Entertainment
Simple Machines puts out confident, deliberate music. Confident in that they keep their songs minimal without being “simple” (despite the name), and deliberate in that the beats are slow, almost metronomic. It takes some brass ones to not hide behind overproduction. The songs stand up well, with my current favorite being the slow, funky “Where I When I”. - Two Groove Austin
"It takes an orchestra to create a lush electronic dream like, Simple Machines. Their sound reminds us of a hot chip/metronomy/junior boys blend. Keep your ear to the ground for this band. We really dig their sound." - the Glitoris
"Their new self-titled debut EP is a highly satisfying listen. Singer John Edwards' amiable vocals tie everything together, displaying an impressive range." - Mi2N.com - Music Industry News Network
theGlitoris' Top 10 traXXX
"Fun" Simple Machines - Austin Chronolog - Chronicle Blogs
"The group’s catchy songwriting soon melded with lush electronic textures and enticing dance rhythms to create an infectious musical signature." - The Deli - Austin: Weird noises from the Star of Texas
The clean, soulful production works behind John's vocals, with mechanical beats underpinning colorful sheets of rhodes and synthesizer. If this EP is any indication of things to come, Simple Machines will be one band to keep an eye on in the coming years. - Thomas Lowen - Lowen Roving PR
For the indie rocker in all of us, check out the positive perspectives and peaceful music of Simple Machines — up-beat tunes like “Cloud Cover” and electronic dance-groove, "Fun." - Daily Texan
Discography
Simple Machines EP
Photos
Bio
Simple Machines has a sound that is hard to describe but easy to get into, one whose homespun origins and organic growth reflect the unique charm and diverse musical character of the group’s hometown Austin, Texas. In the spring of 2008, a casual jam session between then-college classmates John Edwards and Marino Petriccione made it clear the two had stumbled upon a very promising musical chemistry. A prolific series of songwriting sessions and a homemade demo would soon follow. Encouraged by enthusiastic responses and eager to develop their project into something more ambitious, the two recruited a handful of close friends to join on various instruments. As the newly dubbed Simple Machines outfit began rehearsing, the songs took on an entirely new feel, as each new member left his own distinctive mark on the group’s sound.
On the heels of several successful local shows, Simple Machines recorded their self-titled debut EP in the summer of 2010. The release’s four tracks present an impressive musical range: the swaggering R&B thump of “Where I When I” is a surprising contrast to the smooth electropop of opener “Cloud Cover”. Meanwhile, the soothing pulse of final track “Under Your Eyelid” arrives as a fitting comedown to the party-fueled dance floor grooves of “Fun”. Though the sonic landscape of the EP may be varied, the amiable vocals of John Edwards tie everything together, creating a sound that is as cohesive as it is diverse. Upon its recent release in the fall of 2010, the EP has already been enthusiastically received by several local Austin publications, prompting comparisons to such electropop luminaries as Hot Chip and Junior Boys.
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